Dr. Temperance Brennan is working in Charlotte, N.C. in this thriller, as she investigates human and animal remains that come to light during a housing renovation. The remains are included in a collection of cauldrons, candles, and statues which point to a variety of cults who could be involved.  A fundamentalist religious group headed by politician Boyce Lingo stirs up the populace in a vigilante witch hunt for devil-worshipers to further his ambitions.

This novel has everything: dirty politics, male prostitution, Santeria, Voodoo, the headless corpse of a boy, a teenaged girl's skull and hysterical media coverage. The evidence Tempe digs up is contradictory, and she goes down some misleading paths in pursuit of the truth. Then when Tempe's very life is threatened, the suspense escalates.

The realistic forensic descriptions are not for readers who are grossed out by maggots and purification. The characters are complex and well developed, and the plot has fast action and lots of surprises. Tempe's personal life...her repressed alcoholism, ex-husband, ex-boyfriend, and new romantic interest add to the entertainment value of this superb suspense thriller.  Kathy Reichs is near the top of my list of favorite authors.